“And pray, my lord commander-in-chief, don’t you think you might do much worse? They are both as pretty as peaches, perfectly sweet and good, and either would worship you meekly and mildly as a god and a hero; besides which they have other and more substantial advantages, and you would have the satisfaction of cutting out many better men.” “You are very cheeky this evening.” “Do you know I used to think you rather admired Charlotte?” “Admired her! How can one help admiring them both? Only they are such a perfect match that one couldn’t love, honour, and obey--that’s it, isn’t it?--the one without loving, honouring, and obeying the other.” “That’s an evasion,” said Ella, piercing him with her brown, bead-like eyes. She continued to look at him fixedly while she counted slowly on her fingers. “One--two--three--three weeks ago you were not in the same mind.” Lauriston started and grew red, and the brown eyes twinkled. “Three weeks ago, if my uncle had made you this suggestion, you would have taken it differently.” “What do you mean?” “That something has happened in the meantime to divert your admiration into another channel. Oh, I know. I am not a ‘silent member’ for nothing; when I am called upon to give my vote, my mind is a good deal clearer on the subject in hand than those of the active debaters.” “Well, supposing I told you I wanted to marry you?” “You would not dare to come to _me_ with such a story.” “Why not? You like me; you have always shown it. You are nicer to me than you are to almost anybody.” “I like you certainly, though I think at present you’re rather a prig; but perhaps that is only because it is a case of sour grapes.” “Sour grapes!” “Yes. For if I had been handsome I would have married you; I like you enough for that.” “Then why in heaven’s name won’t you marry me?” asked Lauriston, much excited. “Simply because you would take me to avoid something worse; and that I have no attractions strong enough to keep you if the ‘something worse’ should try to get hold of you again.” Lauriston was amazed and shocked at this penetration on the part of a young girl. He gave her a shy look out of the corners of his eyes, and leaned forward on his knees, his handsome brown head bent, playing with his moustache with moist, nervous fingers. She laughed as she looked at him, with a sound in her voice which struck him, though he could not quite make up his mind whether it was tender or bitter.